SUKHUM. Nov 18 (Interfax) - The Abkhaz Foreign Ministry has described the events unfolding in Abkhazia since November 15 as a coup attempt.
"What happened damages the international image of our country and negatively affects relations with our strategic ally, the Russian Federation," the ministry said.
"Abkhaz President Aslan Bzhania stays in the republic and remains the head of state," it said.
"All measures necessary are being taken to ensure stable functioning of the state, and all government bodies are operating normally," the ministry said.
The opposition took control of government buildings in Sukhum and demanded that the president and the government step down.
Bzhania left Sukhum for his home village Tamysh after the protests and said he was ready to step down and schedule an early election if the protesters leave the government buildings. The opposition leaders rejected his offer.
Bzhania said on Sunday he was ready to resign and stand in the early presidential election.